Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) celebrated the Year of the Snake with Atlanta, Georgia, at the Hong Kong Spring Reception on February 19 (Atlanta time).
      
     In her welcome remarks, the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, emphasised the strong ties between Hong Kong and Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
      
     “Last year, total exports from Georgia to Hong Kong reached US$980 million, a 14.5 per cent year-on-year increase. This makes Georgia the fifth largest exporter to Hong Kong among all 50 US states in 2024,” she said.
      
     Ms Ho also highlighted Hong Kong’s resilience in navigating global uncertainties, noting that the city’s GDP growth of 2.5 per cent last year is a testament to its ability to maintain stability and leverage its strategic position as a gateway between East and West.
      
     “Looking ahead, we remain committed to enhancing our existing strengths, including our competitiveness as an international financial centre,” she added. “We are also exploring and investing in emerging sectors, such as fintech, biotech, and green energy. These sectors are not only reshaping our economic landscape but also paving the way for sustainable growth and innovation.”
      
     Some 200 guests from Atlanta’s academic, business, diplomatic, finance, and political sectors, as well as students from Hong Kong, attended the annual event cohosted by New York ETO and the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta. Ms Ho encouraged them to visit Hong Kong and experience first-hand the city’s vibrant offerings – from delectable culinary delights and iconic skyline to its breathtaking natural scenery and the dynamic arts and cultural scene, which seamlessly blend East and West.
      
     To further showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and culinary flair, the event featured two inflatable installations designed by popular Hong Kong creative brand Chocolate Rain, as well as two Hong Kong-themed cocktails.

          

　　The Transport Department (TD) announced today (February 21) that the application numbers of the 1 500 personalised vehicle registration mark (PVRM) applications selected by lot for the 53rd exercise have been published on its website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) and posted on the notice boards of the TD’s licensing offices.
 
　　”The applicants have already been sent an acknowledgement of receipt bearing an application number. They may check the list to see whether their applications have been selected. Applicants will also be notified of the ballot results by post in batches,” a department spokesman said.
 
　　The department will later check the proposed PVRMs selected against the basic combination requirements. If, among the selected applications, more than one applicant proposes the same PVRM, only the one on which the lot falls first out of those applications will be further processed.
 
　　If the selected PVRMs meet the basic requirements, the department will send notices by registered mail to the applicants in batches, requiring them to pay a deposit of $5,000 within the period specified in the notice. If an applicant fails to pay the deposit within that period, his or her application will be cancelled automatically and will not be further processed.
 
　　Upon receipt of the deposit, the Commissioner for Transport will determine, with the assistance of a vetting committee, whether an application should be approved or rejected. PVRMs approved in the 53rd exercise will be put up for auction in batches. Auction details will be published in newspapers and on the TD’s website in due course.
 
　　For enquiries, applicants can call the TD Hotline at 2804 2600. read more

     â€‹The Government today (February 21) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Central African Republic) Regulation 2020 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.
      
     “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Central African Republic) Regulation 2020 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2745 in respect of the Central African Republic,” a Government spokesman said.
      
     The amendments renew the travel ban and financial sanctions, and amend the time-limited arms-related sanctions measures.
      
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations. read more

     To prepare for the onboarding of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) schemes to the eMPF Platform, the Government published in the Gazette today (February 21) the following legal notices:
 
(i) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Specification of Dates for Purposes of Section 19M(2)(a)) (Amendment) Notice 2025 (Mandatory Use (Amendment) Notice 2025); and
 
(ii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19U(4)) (Amendment) Notice 2025, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Y(3)) (Amendment) Notice 2025, and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Z(4)) (Amendment) Notice 2025 (collectively Fee Control (Amendment) Notices 2025).
 
     The Mandatory Use (Amendment) Notice 2025 specifies May 7, 2025, as “material day” for Principal MPF – Simple Plan, Principal MPF – Smart Plan, and Principal MPF Scheme Series 800 administered by Principal Trust Company (Asia) Limited (Principal), such that Principal is mandated to use the eMPF Platform to perform scheme administration functions in relation to these MPF schemes. On cost savings and fee-setting of MPF schemes to be charged by MPF trustees on scheme members, the Fee Control (Amendment) Notices 2025 appoint August 7, 2025, as “material day” for the constituent funds of Principal MPF – Simple Plan, Principal MPF – Smart Plan, and Principal MPF Scheme Series 800, such that Principal is mandated to make corresponding reduction in its fees charged on scheme members in relation to the constituent funds of these MPF schemes. 
 
     Relevant legal notices for the remaining MPF schemes will be published in the Gazette when the respective onboarding dates are ascertained having regard to the onboarding preparation status of the MPF trustees concerned.
 
     If scheme members/employers have any question regarding the detailed operation of the eMPF Platform, they may visit the Platform’s official website (empf.org.hk), or call the Platform’s customer service hotline (183 2622). Scheme members/employers may also visit the three eMPF service centres located on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories.
 
     The aforementioned legal notices will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on February 26, 2025. read more

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (March).        Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at th… read more